Spring-door closer and check



May 14, 1929. M, BURNHAM 1,712,914

SPRING DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK Original Filed Oct. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mar/r ,B. Burn/7am,

INVENTOR.

y 14, 1929- M. B. BURNHAM 1,712,914

SPRING DOOR CLOSER AND CHECK Original Filed Oct. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Mar/r ,B Bur/72mm Patented May 14, 1929.

UITED STATES MARK B. B'URNHAM, O11 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA.

SPEINGVIJODR GLOSER AND CHECK.

Application filed October $58, 1927.

This invention appertains to novel means for shutting doors or other closures and more particularly to an improved door check and closer.

One of the primary objects of the invention is the provision of a novel door check and closer incorporated directly with the hinge ot a door and forming a part thereof, whereby upon opening movement ot a door or other closure, the closer and check will automatically function to return the door or closure to its shut position without slam or rebound.

Another object of the invention it to provide novel means for combining a door hinge with a door check and closer, thereby eliminating the necessity ol providing an extrancous check or closer for the top of the door.

ih further objectoi" the invention is the provision of a device which can be success fully used as a retarding or timing mechanism for any type of hinged closure, mechanism or fixture where a retarding, timing, checking or a closing action is needed.

it furtl'ier object of the invention is the provision of a door check and closer comprising a cylinder and piston, with novel means for connecting the cylinder with the leaves of a hinge and novel means for connecting a piston with the hinge pin of the hinge, whereby upon opening movement of a door the piston and cylinder will be moved relative to one another, so that upon release oi the door the cylinder and piston will function under the influence of spring means for returning the door to its closed position.

A. further object of the invention is the provision of a novel valve and diaphragm thcrcior having cou'miunication with the cylinder for controlling the flow of pressure from the cylinder under the action of the piston operating in the cylinder upon the closing of the door, the valve and diaphragm acting as automatic means for retarding the closing of the door to prevent slamming thereof.

it still further object of the invention is to provide a novel door check and closer of the above character, which will be durable and e'll icicnt in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market and incorporated with a door or other closure at a small cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will.

Serial No. 229395.

be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved chcck and closer showing the same incorporated with or attached to a door and amb;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the check and closer taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a transverse. section through the door check and closer taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 6 is a transverse section through the door check and closer taken on the line 6-45 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference character designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved door check and closer and B and C a door and door frame respectively.

The door and door frame have simply been shown to illustrate one use of the improved check and closer and it is to be understood that the device is acceptable for use on any type of closure or mechanism in which a closing and retarding action is desirable.

The improved door check and closer A comprises a hinge 10 and the door check and closer portion proper 15.

The hinge portion 10 includes a pair of leaves 11 and 12 having mating hinge barrels 13 "formed on their inner edges, for the reception of a hinge pin or pintle 14-.

The door check and closer proper 15 comprises a cylinder 16 closed at its inner end by a suitable head 17 which is provided with a threaded axial opening 18. The opposite end. of the cylinder is closed by a head 19 which projects beyond the same and which is of a substantially concave-convex form. The axial center of this head 19, for a purpose which will be later described, is provided with a seat 20 for the reception of an inwardly opening poppet or like valve. This valve is provided with an outward extending valve stem 21 around which is placed a light tension spring 22. The terminals at this spring 22 bear respectively against a portion of the head 19 and a nut 23 threaded on the valve stem. It is obvious that this nut can be adjusted toward and away from the valve 20 to govern the tension of the spring. A double diaphragm 2a is connected with the valve stem and the outer .face of the diaphragm is provided with an axial opening 25 with which coinlnunicates a pair of small air pressure pipes 26 which extend into the head 19 and communicate with the cylinder.

A cap 27 can be provided for housing the'head 19 and its associate parts and is provided with an air opening 28 adjacent to the double diaphragm 24-.

Reciprocably mounted within the cylinder 1 6 is a piston 30, which is secured in any desired way, such as by screw threads, to a longitudinally extending piston rod 3-1. A leather cup washer 32 is provided for the piston to hold the washer S3 in its place on the stem for engagement with the leather cup washer. A nut can be threaded on the piston rod 31 for engagement with the washer for holding the same and the cup washer in place. I also prefer to provide a split annular leaf spring 35 for engaging the inner face of the cup washer and for urging the same in engagement with the cylinder walls.

Threaded into the cylinder head 17 is a bearing head 36 having an axial bore 37 through which extends the piston rod 31. This piston rod 31 terminates in a hinge barrel 38 which is placed in alinement with the hinge barrels 13 of the hinge 10 and a hinge pin or pintle 14 is placed through this barrel 38, as well as the barrels 13.

The opposite side of the bearing head 36' is provided with bearings 39 and 40 and these bearings are arranged adjacent to the leaves 11 and 12 of the hinge.

Disposed in the same horizontal plane as the bearings 39 and 10 are bearings tl and 42, which are secured to the leaves 11 and 12 of the hinge 10 adjacent to the outer side edges thereof.

Suitable U-shaped bearing links 43 and 44 are utilized for connecting the bearings 39 and 41 together and the bearings 40 and 42 together, as clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. Any desired means can be provided for holding the connecting links in position against accidental displacement, such as cotter pins 45. In order to keep the device suitably lubricated at all times, a sleeve shaped wick 46 is disposed in the cylinder in contact with the inner surface thereof and this wick is provided with an extension for engaging the piston as shown in the drawings. A heavy felt or like washer 47 is also disposed in the cylinder in engagement with the wick 46 and the cylinder head '17. The washer and the wick are fully impregnated with a suitable lubricant and it can be seen that upon reci n'ocation of the piston within the cylinder, that the walls of the. cylinder will be elleetively greased. It is also preferred to have the cup shaped washer 30 of the piston packed or impregnated with a suitable lubricant. .Any desired means can be provided for inlroducing oil into the cylinder and for this purpose I have shown openings 48 formed in the cylinder and the wick sleeve .16.

A heavy expansion coil spring 49 is placed in the cylinder about the piston rod 31 and this spring bears against the washer l7 of the cylinder head 17 and the piston 30 and. functions to normally hold the piston in its innermostposition in the cylinder.

In operation of the improved device, when the door or other closure is swung open, the piston 30 will be drawn inward, while the cylinder 16 will be pressed outward due to the arrangement of the links relative to the hinge. Upon the release of the door or other closure, the spring will function to return the piston and cylinder to its normal position and consequently close the door. However, the air in the cylinder will be trapped between the piston 30 and the head 19. This will check the closing speed of the door. The pressure of the trapped air will operate on the diaphragm 24s and open the valve 20 against the tension of its valve stem spring. This will allow the air to gradually escape into the cap and through the air holes therein. The speed of closing can be readily controlled by adjusting the tension of the valve spring, as is readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus the closing of the door or other closure can be eii'ectively retarded to any desired degree.

As shown, a wire gauze screen is carried by the head inward of the valve 20 in order to prevent the entrance of foreign objects, such as dirt, lint or the like, into the cylinder.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a door hinge including a. pair of leaves and a pintle connecting the leaves together and a door closer including a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder and resilient means normally holding the piston at one end of the cylinder, of means connecting the door closer with the hinge inchuling means pivotally connecting the piston with the pintle of the hinge, and toggle links connecting the cylinder with the leaves on each side of the pintle thereof.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a hinge including a pair of leaves and a hinge pintle for said leaves and a door closer including a cylinder, a piston reciprocably mounted in the cylinder having a piston rod connected therewith and lllt) extending beyond the cylinde' at one end, an expansion spring in said cylinder norinally holding the piston at one end 01 the cylinder, of means operatively connecting the door closer with the hinge including toggle links connected with the cylinder and hingedly connected with the leaves on opposite sides of the hinge pintle, and means pivotally connecting the piston rod with the hinge pintle.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination. with a hinge including a pair oi leaves and a hinge pintle connecting the leaves together and a door closer including a cylinder, a piston reciprocahljy mounted in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through one end of the cylinder, and an expansion spring dieposed in the cylinder around the piston rod engaging the piston and one end of the cylinder for normally holding the piston in an inward. position in said cylinder, of means connecting the door closer with the hinge comprising a toggle connection including a head having a pair oi bearings rigidly connected with the cylinder and linlrs pivotally mounted in said bearings and pivotally connected to the leaves adjacent to the outer side edges thereof, and a bearing on the piston rod receiving the hinge pintle.

l. The combination with a hinge including leaves and a pintle pivotally connecting the leaves together, of a combined door check and closer including a cylinder hingedly connected with the leaves of the hinge, a piston i'eciprocably mounted in the cylinder hingedly connected with the pintle of the hinge, a head at one end of the cylinder, spring means normally urging the piston toward the head and away from said hinge,

the piston being adapted to be retarded urn der the influence of the spring in its movement toward the head. against the action o'l fluid in the cylinder entrapped between the head and piston, and means including an automatically operated valve for relieving pressure between the head and cylinder gradually.

5. In a door check and closer, a cylinder having a head at one end provided with an axial opening and a head at its opposite end, a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylintfler, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through the axial opening, an expansion spring in said (:ylinder confined between the cylinder head provided with the axial opening and piston'and norrnally urging the piston toward the other head, the piston tending to act against fluid confined in said cylinder, an inwardly opening valve cnniniunicating with the space between the head and piston, spring means normally holding the valve on its seat, a diaphragm, a stern for said valve engaging the diaphrt rm, and pro ire pipes conn'nuni ca ting with the space between the head and piston :lor leading air to the diaphragm, as and for the-purpose specified.

6. lln a door check and, closer, a cylinder, a piston i-cciprotnbly inoui'ltcd in the cyl inder, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending through one end thereof, spring means normally urging the piston toward one end of the cylinder, a cylindrical wiclr engaging the walls of the cylinder and the piston, a felt washer in said cylinder engaging the wiclr, and means for introducing a lubricant to the wick and washer.

In testimony whereolf 1 21th); my signature. 

